There is a progress bar in my cultivation of immortality

Yu Lian only saw in the world of inspiration that Liu Shuang's primordial spirit seemed to be about to leave his body, because a consciousness was vying for control of his physical body.

"Foolish dog, quickly connect your consciousness to your master's spirit!"

Yu Lian shouted at Liu Shuang's spirit dog and guided it with her own consciousness.

The spirit dog immediately quieted down and connected with Liu Shuang's primordial spirit in the first instant. Yu Lian also sensed the state of Liu Shuang's spiritual sea through the spirit dog's consciousness.

Within Liu Shuang's spiritual sea, it was like a raging sea stirred up by a hurricane, with countless fragments of shattered consciousness rising and falling in the violent energy currents. Meanwhile, the pure and loyal consciousness of the spirit dog transformed into a warm and steadfast stream of light, piercing through the chaos of the spiritual sea.

Wherever this stream of light passed, it was like a gentle comb, carefully smoothing out the turbulent energy vortexes and slowly calming the colliding spiritual forces.

Liu Shuang's scattered consciousness seemed like a lost soul hearing a familiar bell; a faint sense of self struggled out of the chaos, like a person who had been asleep for a long time trying to open their eyes.

This realization of hers was like a spark, instantly igniting her survival instinct. Her spiritual sea, which had previously only been passively subjected to being sorted out, now seemed to have a backbone and began to respond from the inside out.

The remaining chaotic vortexes were quickly calmed down under the guidance of the awakened main consciousness. The disordered fragments of thought, as if finding their way home, gradually dissolved and returned to their original positions, or were actively dispersed by the main consciousness.

Upon seeing this, Yu Lian immediately severed the connection between her consciousness and that of the spirit dog. After all, her primordial spirit was too powerful, and prolonged spying would cause damage to both the spirit dog and Liu Shuang's primordial spirit.

In reality, Liu Shuang's mind returned to clarity. Before she could even check the state of her own spirit, she asked, "Is Rong'er alright?"

"Don't worry, there's a magic array set up by your master here."

As Yu Lian finished speaking, Wang Ping's clone, which he had placed on Mount Jiuxuan, also arrived at the scene. Liu Shuang and Hu Qianqian immediately bowed in greeting, but Wang Ping's clone showed no emotion. He said rationally and coldly, "There will be no problem for the time being."

As soon as he finished speaking, countless dark green thorny vines burst forth from the ground around Yang Rong, like countless venomous pythons coiling around her and fiercely stabbing at her, frantically draining the power she had just stabilized.

"Array up!"

Yang Rong activated the formation again, and a composite formation with "sharp metal" as the main element and "thick earth" as the auxiliary element rose up with a roar. Golden light and yellow light intertwined to form a solid barrier, blocking most of the poisonous vines outside.

However, three exceptionally thick vines broke through the array's blockade, clinging to her like maggots, their poisonous thorns piercing deep into the vicinity of her dantian.

Yang Rong groaned, her face turning black instantly, but a fierce glint flashed in her eyes. Ignoring the deadly poison, she mobilized the wood spirit power that she had just tamed, combined with the remaining metal spirit energy, and used it to attack the three main vines in the opposite direction!
"burst!"

She actually deliberately detonated some of the wood elemental energy that had been contaminated by toxins!
The violent energy shock blasted open a small part of her own abdomen, revealing the spiritual veins and raging wood spirit energy inside, but the three main vines were also blasted to pieces!

This made Liu Shuang's eyelids twitch wildly, but she still stared intently at it.

"She's alright, she's conscious."

Wang Ping's clone's indifferent voice rang out again.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Rong's powerful life force began to repair her abdomen at a visible speed. However, the third tribulation suddenly descended, and it turned out to be the most troublesome backlash of time-related characteristics.

The broken vines transformed into specks of silver sand, forming a distorted vortex of time that surrounded Yang Rong.

Yang Rong's figure began to blur, and a subtle river of time washed over her, attempting to drag her into different time fragments and dismantle her existence from the root.

Just then, the three-realm golden cultivator puppets that had been guarding her moved. They formed a strange formation and simultaneously injected their purest golden spiritual energy into the core of the formation beneath Yang Rong's feet.

Gold is immortal and extremely stable!
With the help of powerful reinforcements, the formation shone brightly, and a vast golden spiritual energy rose. Although it could not directly resist time, it greatly stabilized the "existence" of Yang Rong in the small area around her, forcibly anchoring her present body and greatly slowing down the erosion speed of the time turbulence.

Taking this opportunity, Yang Rong guarded her primordial spirit and mobilized all the newly generated power to resist the erosion of time.

This process dragged on for three whole days!
Just as Yang Rong's consciousness was about to dissipate and she could no longer hold on, the exact same scene as when the puppet ascended to power reappeared...

Above the sky, a pure and gentle emerald beam of light crashed down without regard to any barriers, completely enveloping Yang Rong. The beam of light contained the recognition and gift from the rules of the Starry Sky Wood Spirit!

All the turbulent flow of time, residual toxins, and turbulent spiritual energy dissolved under this pillar of light representing "orthodoxy."

The pillar of light lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before slowly dissipating.

Yang Rong's figure became clear and solid again. Her injuries were completely healed, her skin was as smooth as jade, and her aura was long and powerful. A green leaf mark slowly appeared between her eyebrows and gradually solidified, exuding an aura of incomparable affinity with nature.

She successfully survived three ordeals!

Seeing this, Yu Lian breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Liu Shuang, saying, "Rong'er has successfully advanced and is about to fall into a deep sleep. She will awaken once the wood spirit core in her body stabilizes."

"Succeeded..."

Liu Shuang leaned against Hu Qianqian, exhausted, her face filled with relief and lingering fear. She looked old at this moment, but having cultivated for thousands of years, she quickly composed herself and asked, "How long does Rong'er need to sleep?"

Yu Lian looked at Liu Shuang and, sensing Liu Shuang's increasingly weakened primordial spirit, replied, "It will be soon, don't worry."

As she spoke, she looked in the direction of the Taiyan Sect's headquarters. She tried to probe the area with her primordial spirit but couldn't find any information. This was normal, since there were four Taiyan fourth-realm cultivators who used the 'Heaven-Covering Talisman' to shield the secrets of heaven. Anyone with less than the fifth realm cultivation couldn't possibly find any information about the Taiyan Sect's headquarters at this moment.

Hu Qianqian's voice suddenly rang out: "Junior Brother Xia also advanced at this moment?"

Yu Lian replied, "That's right, but we can't interfere with his promotion."

At this moment, Wang Ping's clone had already disappeared. He went directly back to Jiuxuan Mountain to take charge, without going to the Taiyan Sect's headquarters to investigate Xia Wenyi's advancement.

“Junior Brother Xia is quite talented and can overcome this difficulty.”

Liu Shuang also looked towards the Taiyan Sect's headquarters. Her junior brothers and sisters had all advanced to the fourth realm, which inevitably caused some ripples in her heart. However, it was only a slight ripple, which was then smoothed out by her consciousness after thousands of years of cultivation.

After saying that, she turned to look at Yang Rong's dojo. Once everything inside and outside the dojo had returned to calm, she invited Hu Qianqian and Yu Lian, "Come to my dojo for a cup of hot tea."

"I'll listen to my senior sister."

Hu Qianqian behaved very well. Yu Lian flew towards the place where the calico cat was in seclusion, obviously to invite the calico cat. The spirit dog below sensed that Liu Shuang's emotions had returned to normal and immediately wagged its tail and soared up into the clouds, walking back and forth around Liu Shuang.

Leisure time always passes quickly. In the blink of an eye, three Zhongzhou days had passed. After the isolation array built by the Taiyan Sect was removed, Yu Lian arrived with Hu Qianqian and Liu Shuang as soon as possible. She discovered that the 'Heaven-Covering Talisman' had been drawn in Xia Wenyi's body and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Everything is moving in a positive direction. Now all we need to do is wait quietly for the wood spirit to form within Xia Wenyi's body. This step will be almost problem-free if there is no external interference. And in the Taiyan Sect's territory, it is impossible for anyone to disturb him at such a crucial moment.

After confirming that Xia Wenyi was alright, Yu Lian immediately traveled through the time-space array back to Wang Ping's side. While communicating with the believers through her divine kingdom, she recounted to Wang Ping the events she had encountered on her trip...

"That Quan Xing is quite sensible. The food in Guicheng is indeed unique, especially the roasted beast leg, which is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, full of spiritual energy. Next time you wake up, I will definitely take you to try it. Qianqian is still the same; she is completely different when she is fighting. Zi Luan has already emerged from seclusion. He has cultivated to the peak of the fourth realm according to your plan, and his faith in you is deepening day by day..."

Her voice transformed into a gentle stream deep within Wang Ping's consciousness, mingling with the diverse prayers and aspirations of the believers, becoming the sole background sound in this silence.

"Wenyi has also become quite successful. Now that Ziluan and the others are watching over him, nothing will go wrong."

As Yulian spoke, a rare sense of nostalgia surfaced in her mind.

However, the cold reality would inevitably seep into the warm whispers. Yu Lian's tone lowered slightly, and a faint, almost imperceptible dimness flashed in her golden vertical pupils.

"But... Shuang'er..." She paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts, "her primordial spirit is decaying faster than expected. Although she managed to stabilize herself after the impact of Rong'er's advancement, the rifts deep within her spiritual sea are irreparable. I observe that her primordial spirit meridians are scattered, like a candle flickering in the wind. I fear she has at most three hundred more years to live."

Her words took on a heavy, somber tone. She fell silent, her massive body coiling even tighter, as if to protect something. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, and traveled back in time to Mount Jiuxuan, then returned to Qianmu Temple through the magic array of Mount Jiuxuan.

At this moment, it was winter in Zhongzhou. Shen Xiaozhu was writing something in the mountaintop temple of Qianmu Temple. She was the only one in the entire temple, which made her seem particularly lonely.

When Yu Lian arrived at the dojo, Shen Xiaozhu felt a surge of joy. Yu Lian first observed Shen Xiaozhu's primordial spirit and was relieved to see that it was still full.

When Yu Lian returned to Wang Ping's side, she told him about Shen Xiaozhu's condition: "Your personal disciple has opened up another path. If she can leave this starry sky in the future, the knowledge of flying boat formations that she has compiled will surely be carried forward."

Wang Ping's primordial spirit remained in deep slumber, slowly absorbing power, showing no reaction to anything in the outside world.

...

Sixty years have quietly passed.

Wang Ping still showed no sign of waking up. Every now and then, Yu Lian would return to Jupiter, wander around, and then come back to Wang Ping's side to tell him some interesting stories.

One day, Yu Lian returned to Jupiter as usual. First, she went to Hu Qianqian's dojo to catch some fresh fish to satisfy her appetite. Then she saw that ten large ships at the outer port of the Taiyan Sect's base suddenly lit up with magic array runes, as if they were about to go on an expedition to conquer someone.

She hurried to the Taiyan Sect's headquarters. Her primordial spirit swept across the headquarters and saw that most of the Taiyan Sect's cultivators of the four realms were present in the main hall of the Guizhen Hall, while Zi Luan was on the Ascension Platform in outer space of Jupiter.

Just then, two puppets came to escort Zi Luan. They were puppets arranged by Wang Ping's clone. Yu Lian immediately descended to the Jiu Xuan Mountain Dojo and landed on the branch of the spirit tree.

"This disciple greets the True Lord!"

Zi Luan performed the full kowtow ceremony.

Wang Ping's clone possessed a portion of Wang Ping's consciousness, but was overly rational and indifferent. His icy gaze fixed on Zi Luan, showing no intention of making him get up, and he simply asked in a flat tone, "What is it?"

Yu Lian added, "Get up and speak."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zi Luan stood up, bowed his head, and continued, “The secret techniques of the four realms of the side sect recommended by the True Lord were previously neglected due to the slight lapse in supervision after Fellow Daoist Wenyi broke through the realm. Some villains even stole the fragments and spread them among the side sects. Now, I wish to take this opportunity to wipe out the traitors, cleanse the discordant voices in the world, and use these secret techniques as a means to gather talents from all directions and drive the three realms of the side sects to work for me. Therefore, I have come to humbly request the True Lord’s holy judgment.”

After hearing this convoluted explanation, Yu Lian stared at Zi Luan with her vertical pupils and asked, "Was that secret technique fragment really stolen, or was it bait you deliberately threw out?"

Upon hearing this, Zi Luan lowered his head even further and replied, "In recent years, various factions have been putting too much pressure on our Taiyan Sect. However, with the greater cause of the war on the front lines at hand, we are unable to take action and have no choice but to resort to this measure. The stolen fragments of the secret technique are true, but they are still insufficient to cultivate to the fourth realm."

Yu Lian then asked, "Do you think it's time for the Taiyan Sect to take the initiative?"

Zi Luan replied in a very fast voice: "It's not an attack, it's just to retrieve the secret techniques of my Taiyan Sect. I will hand this matter over to the Dao Palace to handle first."

Yu Lian pondered for a moment. According to the information she had obtained from Wang Ping, the war on the front lines was not important, because the Demon Lord was nothing more than a lamb to the slaughter. The real issue in this starry sky was the outcome between Wang Ping and the Dragon Lord.

"Then do it."

Wang Ping's clone spoke at this moment.

Zi Luan received the order and immediately withdrew.

Yu Lian didn't take the matter to heart, but she didn't expect that this decision would indirectly lead to the downfall of the Demon Star.

...

On the other side, after receiving the decree and leaving the Jiuxuan Mountain Dojo, Zi Luan did not return to the Taiyan Sect's headquarters. Instead, he directly sent a message with his divine sense, and the ten Taiyan flagships that were already waiting immediately tore through space and headed into the depths of the starry sky.

At the same time, arrest warrants and recruitment notices were quickly spread to the many unorthodox sects affiliated with the Taiyan Sect through communication arrays in various places.

The warrant was issued with harsh language, declaring that a scoundrel had stolen a fragment of the Taiyan Secret Technique. Anyone who colluded with the thief, kept the fragment, or practiced it was an enemy of Taiyan and would be killed without exception.

The recruitment notice, however, was written in a gentle tone, stating that the Taiyan Sect cherishes talent. Any outstanding individuals from unorthodox sects who actively serve, provide clues, or are willing to help Taiyan suppress rebellions will not only have their past crimes forgiven, but will also receive guidance on more profound methods, and may even have the opportunity to be bestowed with the true secrets and mysteries of the fourth realm.

In an instant, the starry sky within the Xuanmen's territory was turbulent with undercurrents. Disciples of the Taiyan Sect, armed with decrees, launched attacks in all directions, tracking down any clues related to the incomplete secret manual.

On the other hand, the recruitment notice was like bait, causing countless unorthodox cultivators who were stuck in the third realm and could not make any progress to have their minds wander.

Just as Zi Luan had predicted, soon some powerful members of the unorthodox sects of the Three Realms were willing to act as the vanguard of the Taiyan Sect to eliminate "rebels" in exchange for guidance on secret techniques. With such an example, there was a continuous stream of followers who joined in.

Within a few months, the already tense atmosphere in the starry sky became even more intense, with frequent conflicts erupting... (End of Chapter)